Ray, Daniel and Michael are heroes on and off the field. 76108 Picture: VANESSA CHIRCOP
By Vanessa Chircop
THREE Spotswood footy stars proved their heroics were not limited to the footy field last Tuesday afternoon.
The three mates saved the lives of a family who were inside their home when a rubbish fire started in their front yard.
Three-time Spotswood premiership players Ray Jensen and Daniel Mangan, who own Majestic Building Solutions, and their apprentice Michael Cassidy were on their way home when they saw the smoke.
Instead of continuing to drive they decided to turn around to see if they could help.
“By the time we did a U-turn the whole front yard was on fire,” Ray said.
The fire was spreading quickly through the yard.
Trees, which were leaning in to the roof of the two-unit Melbourne Rd property, had also caught alight.
The men acted quickly with Ray running into one house and Michael into another.
“We got some kids out and a man who was sleeping,” he said.
“We made sure everyone was out, then we called the fire brigade.
“It was a bit scary.
“You don’t realise how much smoke affects you – we were coughing pretty bad.”
Despite their quick thinking and courage the men are reluctant to call themselves heroes.
“It’s our area, we play footy here – I’d like to think that if it was my house someone would stop.”
Michael said the residents of the property were grateful for their help.
“They were pretty scared, they didn’t know what was going on.”
The men said they were happy to help and play firemen for the day but won’t be considering a career change anytime soon.
